Method and apparatus for playing a game

ABSTRACT

A baseball-theme game of chance that maybe played either for monetary wagers or for fun in a table or video format.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to the field of games played in a home-type or a casino-type setting, with or without legal wagers, and more particularly to a method and associated structure (such as a board, a table, or a video slot machine) for playing a baseball-theme game using dice or an equivalent game engine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exists many types of games that are playable by individuals for both personal enjoyment and monetary risk. The popularity of various board games, dice games, card games, etc. is clearly evidenced by the diverse selection of such games for purchase in retail outlets and more so by the ever growing number of gambling casinos and other legal betting outlets. Thus, a new game may appeal to a wide consumer base and, moreover, may represent a significant revenue generator in a casino or other legal wagering setting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a method for playing a non-realistic baseball-theme game. The number of players is primarily dependent upon the setting where the game is played; i.e., in an aspect, the game is a casino table game and might be played by up to 24 players gathered around an appropriate casino game table. In an alternative aspect, the game may be in the form of a board-type game that could be played in a home-type setting by as few as a single player. In yet another embodiment, the game may be played in either a wagering or a play-for-fun video game format, as either a casino slot machine, a hand-held, portable unit, or a personal computer linked to the Internet.

The game theme is preferably based on U.S. style baseball and involves game events such as hits, runs, outs, etc. Game events are generated by the chance selection or draw of the results of a game engine; for example, in various respective aspects, the game engine is a pair of conventional, six-sided dice or a selection of cards or a selection of chips that are specially marked with number and/or figure indicia. The invention, however, is not limited to these game engine examples, as one skilled in the art will appreciate. Each roll of the dice, for example, will result in a number between two and twelve, inclusive, and every number combination is preferably associated with a particular game event. Thus, the single player rolling the dice, referred to as the batter, may illustratively “load the bases” by rolling the number combination for a “single” hit on three consecutive rolls. The batter continues to be ‘at bat’ (i.e., rolling the dice) until the number combination for an “out” is obtained three times, defining an “inning” of the game. In an illustrative casino table setting, the batter (preferably an active player) as well as the other players, make various wagers on each prospective game event that might be generated by the batter during the batter's inning.

It will be apparent from the immediately foregoing description that the game is played on a suitably sized and labeled playing surface, or in a video version, on a simulation or replication of such a surface. The game surface configuration, corresponding to game events in the form of demarcated wagering regions or labels, provides a two-dimensional surface on which to engage the game engine and various markers denoting the presence of current game conditions and/or wagers. In an aspect, the playing surface is embodied in a casino style table of sufficient size and configuration to accommodate up to about twenty-four players (including their betting chips, for example) and associated game personnel. The overall playing surface layout lends itself to a generally rectangular shape that will have a range of length and width dimensions depending upon the game setting. For example, in a casino-type table setting, the game surface may be embodied in a large table structure having a length up to about twelve feet and a width up to about six feet. According to this aspect, the game table may have a boundary rail, boundary compartments for wagers' chips and/or money, etc. In an illustrative casino type table setting embodiment, non-playing game personnel hired by the casino may be designated to facilitate various functions including, but not limited to, presenting the game engine to the batter, exchanging money for betting chips, placing, collecting and/or paying bets, and resolving game disputes. It will be appreciated that such a table in many respects is similar to a conventional craps table.

In an alternative aspect, the game playing surface may be embodied in a home style board or table of sufficient size and configuration to accommodate up to perhaps four to eight players. In this aspect, the board may have a length of approximately two feet or thereabout and a width of approximately one foot or thereabout. It will be appreciated that the dimensions themselves are not critical but rather the playing surface should provide for sufficient size and visibility of the labels, rolling of the dice or other game engine pieces, placement of bets (when applicable), placement and movement of markers (described further below), comfortable accommodation of a requisite number of players and game personnel, and other factors appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Various objects and advantages according to embodiments of the invention, as well as a complete description enabling various embodiments of the invention are presented below and in the appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a table that shows all of the possible numerical combinations obtainable from a conventional pair of dice and respective designated game events according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a conventional pair of conventional, six-sided dice that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows a sample of an exemplary set of playing cards that may be used according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3B shows a sample of an exemplary set of playing chips that may be used according to an exemplary aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary status marker including selective status indicia according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a playing surface layout according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following description of a preferred embodiment is for the purpose of explanation, and not limitation. Some specific details are set forth in order to provide a better understanding of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, in other instances, description of other elements, features, and techniques are omitted so as not to encumber or confuse the reader with unnecessary detail. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from the following description and that differences may exist from the embodiment specifically described without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The invention will be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same item. An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for playing a baseball-themed game by one or more players, P_(n) For the sake of clarity of description, the illustrated embodiment will describe a legal wagering game in a casino table setting, the game engine will be a pair of dice, a game playing surface (described more fully below) will be embodied in a casino-style table, and various non-playing game personnel (described more fully below) will have functional responsibilities associated with the playing of the game. It is to be understood that the descriptive embodiment is exemplary and that the invention is not so limited in scope.

Game Overview

According to an embodiment of the invention, the game is played with a conventionally marked pair of dice 20, each die 20 having six sides, as shown in FIG. 2. The number of indicia on each die 20 run from one to six, each number associated with a corresponding one of the sides of each die 20. Thus, with two dice 20 in play, the lowest total number that can be rolled is two, and the highest total number that can be rolled is twelve. The two die 20 have thirty-six combinations that can be rolled. The possible combinations that the pair of dice can produce, the ways those combinations can be rolled, and the game events (results) designated as a Single, a Double, a Triple, a Home Run and an Out, are illustrated in the table of FIG. 1. Alternative exemplary game engines include, but are not limited to, specially marked cards 22 as shown in FIG. 3A or chips 32 as shown in FIG. 3B.

A single active player, P_(B), designated as the “batter” has control of the game at any one time. The batter's dice roll results (i.e., particular game events) determine the payoffs of all the wagering players, P_(N), at the table. In an aspect, the option to become a batter, P_(B) and to roll the dice 20 follows in a conventional clockwise fashion, with each player in turn having an opportunity to roll. The batter remains in control of the game until he or she has rolled a total of three dice combinations that are designated as an OUT in the combinations table shown in FIG. 1. This duration of control by a single batter is referred to as an INNING. In an aspect, the other players P_(N), at the table do not have to shoot the dice 20 when their turn comes; they may choose to pass the opportunity to roll to the next player in turn.

According to an aspect of the embodiment, when a new batter is ready to begin throwing the dice 20, a game personnel designated as an UMPIRE offers the batter the choice of two out of five or six identical die 20 for selection of a pair by the batter. Typically, in a casino setting, the umpire would push the dice 20 towards the player with a crook-shaped stick. The batter selects two die 20 and the others are collected by the umpire. At this point, the batter preferably must make a Run Line or a Shutout Line bet prior to rolling the dice 20. Upon placing the bet, the batter throws the dice 20 on the game surface layout, preferably, in an aspect, hitting the table wall or rail on the opposite end of the table. Failure to throw the dice the entire length of the table may result in another game personnel designated as a BOXMAN to admonish the batter to throw them harder.

Before proceeding with the game method description, it will be instructive to describe an embodiment of the game playing surface layout and configuration 500 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In an aspect, the game is played in connection with a game surface 502 such as a traditional felt cloth or a plastic or woven sheet of material bearing a particularly labeled layout 505. The playing surface 502, according to an embodiment of the invention, includes a right-side layout region 510 having a first series of labels that correspond to a series of pre-selected wagering situations. The first series of labels include a plurality of “Run Lines” 515, 516, 517 for each of “0 Outs”, “1 Out” and “2 Outs”; a “Shut Out Line” 519 including a plurality of Shut Out Line demarcations 520, 521, 522 for “No Outs”, “One Out” and “Two Outs”, respectively; a “No Hits Line” 529 including a plurality of No Hits Line demarcations 530, 531, 532 for “No Outs”, “One Out” and “Two Outs”, respectively, a bases region 540 consisting of a “1B” demarcation 541, a “2B” demarcation 542, a “3B” demarcation 543, and a “HR” demarcation 544. The playing surface 502 also includes a left side layout region 514 that is a mirror image of the right side layout region 510 as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, the playing surface 502 includes a center layout region 512 that is intermediate the right side and left side layout regions, and is where the NEXT batter proposition bets are placed. The center layout region includes a second series of game event labels corresponding to a series of pre-selected wagering situations. The center layout region labels include a “1B” demarcation 551, a “2B” demarcation 552, a “3B” demarcation 553, a “HR” demarcation 554, a “Hit” demarcations on 555, an “Out” demarcation 556, and an “Xtra” demarcation 557. A “Grand Slam” demarcation 558 is physically located in the center layout region 512 above the game event demarcations 551-551, but in an aspect of the invention is likewise connected with both side layout regions.

According to an aspect of the embodiment, the configuration 500 of the game surface layout, in accordance with FIG. 5, is as follows: Run Lines 515-517 are contiguous L-shaped track regions; the Shut Out Line demarcations 520-522 are contiguous; the No Hits Line demarcations 530-532 are, similarly, contiguous; the side region base demarcations 541-544 form a contiguous four element group; the 1B, 2B, 3B and HR demarcations 551-554 each have a generally diamond shaped boundary as shown and are arranged in a diamond shaped grouping as shown in FIG. 5; the Hit, Out, and Xtra demarcations 555-557 have generally circular shaped boundaries with additional indicia 561 to illustratively resemble the typical stitching on a baseball; and the Grand Slam demarcation 558 is bisected by a betting odds indicia 599. In an aspect, some of the labels include additional betting odds indicia 563 as shown.

Returning now to the playing of the game, the process that occurs for each batter rolling the dice 20 occurs generally as follows: When a new batter is “up” and is ready to start throwing the dice, all three BASE positions (1B, 2B, and 3B) 541-543 will be EMPTY. If a BASE position is EMPTY, then its demarcated label on the table will not be covered; however, if a BASE position is ON, then a BASE marker (not shown), M_(B), will be placed on the label demarcation on the table surface. The BASE markers may be plain or specially marked chip-type objects or other marking trinkets. Three BASE markers will be available for each game personnel designated as a COACH at the table. All three bases begin each inning as OFF or EMPTY. Alternatively, the marker may comprise a light that turns on or off to indicate the condition of each BASE position.

A status marker 42 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4, is labeled ON on one side and EMPTY on the other side. In an aspect, the status marker 42 is kept generally in a region 503 of the game surface between each COACH position and the No Hit Line 529 as shown in FIG. 5. The status marker 42 is turned to the ON side up whenever any of the bases are ON, and to the EMPTY side up when they are all off. The status marker 42 also moves across the table over the No Hit Line demarcations 530-532 to show how many Outs have been rolled by the batter during the batter's inning. The status marker 42 begins each inning as Empty over the No Hits area. The status marker 42 may likewise be replaced with a light to indicate the ON and EMPTY conditions.

The batter rolls the dice 20 in a sequential manner until any series of combinations resulting in an Out has been rolled three times. The game is played as follows until the third out is rolled: If the batter rolls a SINGLE, the following actions are taken, in order, with the Base markers: If Base 3 is ON, then a RUN scores and Base 3 becomes OFF; if Base 2 is ON, then Base 3 becomes ON and Base 2 becomes OFF; if Base 1 is ON, then Base 2 becomes ON and Base 1 becomes OFF; Base 1 becomes ON. If the batter rolls a DOUBLE, the following actions are taken, in order, with the Base markers: If Base 3 is ON, then a RUN scores and Base 3 becomes OFF; if Base 2 if ON, then a RUN scores and Base 2 becomes OFF; if Base 1 is ON, the Base 3 becomes ON and Base 1 becomes OFF; Base 2 becomes ON. If the batter rolls a TRIPLE, the following actions are taken, in order, with the Base markers: If Base 3 is ON, then a RUN scores and Base 3 becomes OFF; if Base 2 is ON, then a RUN scores and Base 2 becomes OFF; if Base 1 is ON, then a RUN scores and Base 1 becomes OFF; Base 3 becomes ON. If the batter rolls a HOME RUN, the following actions are taken, in order, with the Base markers: If Base 3 is ON, then a RUN scores and Base 3 becomes OFF; if Base 2 is ON, then a RUN scores and Base 2 becomes OFF; if Base 1 is ON, then a RUN scores and Base 1 becomes OFF; a RUN scores. A RUN counts for each run scored. Once the third out occurs, all bases become EMPTY and the table returns to no (zero) outs.

Game Personnel

According to an aspect of the embodiment, there will typically be five basic game personnel at the game table. There will be three COACHES that work the table; an optional fourth coach may rotate on breaks. The coaches will rotate through an UMPIRE and coach positions at the table. There is also a supervisor called a BOXMAN who may or may not work with a particular group of coaches all of the time.

The Boxman

The boxman is in charge of the game table and has the final word in any game matter dispute that may arise. The boxman may generally wear a suit and tie and remains seated during the game, closely guarding the casino's chips.

The Umpire

The umpire calls the game, announcing each roll of the dice 20 and how many runs score, if applicable. The umpire returns the dice 20 to the batter after all payoffs have been completed. The umpire is in charge of the center region 512 of the game layout and places all bets for the next batter propositions. The umpire uses a long stick to push or pull the dice 20 around the table

The Coaches

There are two coaches present at the table. Each coach is in charge of one end of the table layout. The coaches convert cash into playing chips and make sure that the bets at his or her end of the layout are correctly paid. Coaches are also responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the Base markers and the orientation and position of the Status marker.

A description of each bet on the table, WHEN that bet can be made, and the PAYOFF for a win are as follow:

Table Side Layout Bets

Run Line

Description: The Rune Line takes up a large portion of the game surface layout and swings around in curvature on the table to accommodate all of the players. There are three Run Line tracks 515, 516, 517, each corresponding to 0 Outs, 1 Out and 2 Outs, respectively. It is believed that most players will bet on the Run Line, and thus the Run Line represents the largest betting area on the table surface. The players betting on the Run Line are wagering that a run (or multiple runs) will score before the third out is rolled by the batter and the inning ends. All Run Line Bets are collected by the coaches once the third out is made. The Run Line—0 Outs bet is one of the bets that a player may make if they want to become the batter, P_(B), on their turn.

When: The bases must be EMPTY as indicated by the BASE marker.

A player, P_(N), may place a bet in the Run Line track corresponding to the current number of Outs. The “1 out” bet preferably can be no greater than two times the “0 Outs” bet from that player. The “2 Outs” bet preferably can be no greater than two times the “1 Out” bet from that player. A player may increase or decrease his or her bet at any time corresponding to the first two conditions indicated above.

Payoff: The wager remains on the table with each payoff. For each run scored, the “0 Outs” bet is paid 1 to 1. For each run scored, the “1 Out” bet is paid 8 to 5. For each run scored, the “2 Outs” bet is paid 18 to 5.

Shut Out Line

Description: The Shut Out Line occupies less space than the Run Line and is located closer to the coach near the curve of the Run Line. The coach arranges bets in the Shut Out Line demarcations 521, 521, 522, such that he or she can keep track of which player made each bet. The players betting on the Shut Out Line are wagering that the third out will be rolled by the batter before any run will score. All Shut Out Line bets are collected by the coaches once a run scores. The Shut Out Line-No Outs bet is one of the bets that a player may make if they want to become the batter on their turn.

When: A player may place a bet in the Shut Out Line demarcation corresponding to the current number of Outs. A player may increase or decrease their bet at any time corresponding to the condition above, and if the bases are EMPTY.

Payoff: If the third out is rolled before any runs score then: the “No Outs” bet is paid 4 to 5; the “One Out” bet is paid 2 to 5; and the “Two Outs” bet is paid 1 to 5. The original wagers are also returned to the player.

No Hits Line

Description: The No Hits Line is located between the Shut Out Line and one of the coaches. There is a table surface region 503 adjacent the No Hits demarcation 530, 531, 532, generally denoting where the coach keeps the Status marker corresponding to the current number of outs. The coach arranges bets in these demarcations such that he or she can keep track of which player made each bet. The players betting on the No Hits Line are wagering that the third out will be rolled before a hit (i.e., a single, double, triple, or home run) is rolled. All No Hits Line bets are collected by the coaches one a hit is rolled.

When: A player may place a bet in the No Hits Line demarcation corresponding to the current number of Outs. A player may increase or decrease their bet at any time corresponding to the condition above.

Payoff: If the third out is rolled before any hits are rolled then: the “No Outs” bet is paid 11 to 5; the “One Out” bet is paid 6 to 5; and the “Two Outs” bet is paid 2 to 5. The original wagers are also returned to the player.

1B Bets

Description: The 1B Bet 541 is located on a contiguous bases arrangement adjacent the shut Out Line and no Hits Line. When Base 1 is ON, there is a marker located in part of this betting space. The coach arranges bets in this demarcated space such that he or she can keep track of which player made each bet. The players betting on the 1B Bet are wagering that a Single will be rolled before the third out is rolled. All 1B Bet wagers are collected by the coaches once the third out is rolled.

When: A player may place a bet in the square at any time. A player may increase their bet at any time.

Payoff: If a single is rolled before the third out, then the player is paid 11 to 5. The original wager is also returned to the player.

2B Bet

Description: The 2B Bet 542 is located in the arrangement of the bases with 1B. When Base 2 is ON, a BASE marker is located in part of this betting space. The coach arranges bets in this square such that each player's bets can be readily monitored. The players betting on the 2B Bet are wagering that a Double will be rolled before the third out is rolled. All 2B Bet wagers are collected by the coaches once the third out is rolled.

When: A player may place a bet in the 2B betting space at any time. A player may increase their bet at any time.

Payoff: If a double is rolled before the third out, then the player is paid 15 to 1. The original wager is also returned to the player.

Description: The 3B Bet 543 is located in the arrangement with the 1B and 2B Bets. When Base 3 is ON, a BASE marker is located in part of this betting space. The coach arranges bets in this square such that each player's bets can be readily monitored. The players betting on the 3B Bet are wagering that a Triple will be rolled before the third out is rolled. All 3B Bet wagers are collected by the coaches once the third out is rolled.

When: A player may place a bet in the square at any time. A player may increase their bet at any time.

Payoff: If a triple is rolled before the third out, then the player is paid 15 to 1. The original wager is also returned to the player.

HR Bet

Description: The HR Bet 544 is located in the arrangement with the 1B, 2B and 3B Bets. The coach arranges bets in this pentagon-shaped demarcation such that he or she can keep track of which player made each bet. The players betting on the HR Bet are wagering that a Home Run will be rolled before the third out is rolled. All HR Bet wagers are collected by the coaches once the third out is rolled.

When: A player may place a bet in the HR betting space at any time. A player may increase their bet at any time.

Payoff: If a home run is rolled before the third out, then the player is paid 11 to 5. The original wager is also returned to the player.

Grand Slam Bet

Description: (Note that the Grand Slam Bet is technically part of the table side layout, however, it is preferably not a duplicate label as are the other table side layout labels, and it is physically located in the center layout region 512). The Grand Slam Bet is located on a baseball bat shaped area in front of the boxman position, adjacent (above) the NEXT batter proposition bets, which are made in the center layout region 512 described below. The coach arranges bets in the Grand Slam demarcation such that he or she can keep track of which player made each bet. The players betting on the Grand Slam Bet are wagering that a Home Run will be rolled while Base 1, Base 2, and Base 3 are all ON, before the third out is rolled. All Grand Slam Bet wagers are collected by the coaches once the third out is rolled.

When: The bases must be EMPTY as indicated by the Status marker. A player may increase their bet at any time when the bases are empty.

Payoff: If a Home Run is rolled while Base 1, Base 2, and Base 3 are all ON before the third out, then the player is paid 175 to 1. The original wager is also returned to the player.

Table Center Layout Bets

Description: These bets 551-557 are located in front of the umpire position in a generally diamond shaped design of a real baseball field. The umpire arranges bets in these areas such that he or she can keep track of which player made each bet. The players betting on these bets are wagering that the NEXT roll of the dice by the batter will correspond with their choice.

When: These bets can be made at any time.

Payoffs: The winning rolls and payoffs are described below, in all cases the original wager is returned to the player on a winning roll. All losing wagers are collected by the umpire immediately after the roll.

-   -   1B: single; 5 to 1     -   2B: double; 30 to 1     -   3B: triple; 30 to 1     -   HR: home run; 5 to 1     -   Hit: single, double, triple, or home run; 3 to 2     -   Out: out; 2 to 5     -   Xtra: double, triple, home run; 7 to 2.

House Advantage: The betting advantages for the various game events are as follows:

Table Side Layout Bets

Run Line: 0 Outs:  2.47% 1 Out:  3.22% (2.82% total at 2X 0 Outs) 2 Outs:  0.69% (2.22% total at 4X 0 Outs) Shut Out Line: No Outs:  5.48% One Out:  7.87% Two Outs:  2.07% No Hits Line: No Outs:  6.67% One Out:  2.22% Two Outs:  5.19% 1B Bet:  8.12% 2B Bet:  6.17% 3B Bet:  6.17% HR Bet:  8.12% Grand Slam Bet:  5.04% Table Center Layout Bets 1B: 16.67% 2B: 13.89% 3B: 13.89% HR: 16.67% Hit: 16.67% Out:  6.67% Xtra: 12.50%

It should be appreciated that instead of using a pair of dice 20, or a video simulation of dice 20, the game events may be decided by utilizing a deck of thirty-six special cards, three of which cards 22 are shown in FIG. 3A, where the numbers of each card in the deck for each game event equal the number of “Ways to Roll” in FIG. 1. Likewise, instead of using a pair of dice 20 or a video simulation thereof, the game events may be decided by utilizing special playing chips, three of which chips 32 are shown in FIG. 3B, where the number of chips for each game event equal the number of “Ways to Roll” in FIG. 1. One of the game personnel may shuffle or scramble such cards 22 or chips 32 and may selectively display one of said cards 22 or chips 32 to reveal a game event. An automatic, preferably continuous, card shuffler (not shown) may be used for shuffling the deck of cards and dispensing a selected one of said cards to reveal a game event.

In another embodiment of the game, game events may include walks, hit by a pitch, steal, or double steal. Also, although the game events in the most preferred embodiment result in either an out or an advancement to a base, the game events may also include strikes, foul balls, and outs. The odds of achieving any such game event, and any payoff associated with achieving any such game event, may be appropriately selected.

The video versions of the game of the present invention may utilize simulated dice, rolls of dice, cards, flipping of cards, chips, and flipping of chips, with a computer microprocessor programmed to select and reveal game events in a manner weighted according to the table shown in FIG. 1. The actuation of the video simulation of the roll of dice, flipping of cards, or flipping of chips may be initiated by a uniquely associated push button, by maneuvering a mouse and arrow and “clicking” on an actuation field, by manipulating a light pen, or by similar means. The video versions may also permit the placement of bets and the increase and decrease of bets by any of the foregoing types of actuation means. A computer microprocessor may also be programmed to place visual simulations of BASE markers and “ON” and “EMPTY” buttons, to provide flashing lights or other signals on selected betting areas to prompt the player to make available bets, and to produce (with the aid of audio speakers) various sounds associated with the game event occurring or the result of the game event, e.g., a RUN or a GRAND SLAM, such as cheering crowds and applause or a radio announcer. Likewise the microprocessor may be programmed to display a real or cartoon video or audio-video picture of a baseball play corresponding to the game event, such as showing on a video monitor screen a film clip of a famous baseball player hitting a single with a runner on second base, advancing the runner to third base. Bonus features may also be provided such as allowing a player of a video version to select one of a plurality of famous baseball players as a as a designated player for an inning, and if the microprocessor randomly selected a film clip showing the designated player getting a hit, such as a home run, then the player is given a bonus amount of money or credits. Alternatively, the player may be offered a secondary event game by which the player may win more bonus money or credits.

The present invention also contemplates that a video format of the game may be played in a network or tournament version in which, for example, the player scoring the most runs in an inning is awarded a bonus prize or may be provided with a bonus inning where the value of a bonus prize increases with the number of runs scored in the bonus inning. Further alternatively, the players scoring the most total runs in a selected number of innings, such as nine innings, may advance to the next round of a tournament, with the player scoring the most runs in the final round of the tournament being awarded a grand prize.

In addition to the betting areas shown in FIG. 5, the table layout or video screen may include additional or alternative betting areas and associated wagers. For example, the game may offer a bet where the player wins if at least a certain number of runs (such as at least 3 runs or 5 runs) are scored in an inning or if an exact number of runs are scored in an inning. The odds of a player winning in either of the foregoing examples is relatively low, and therefore, the player would receive an exceptionally high payback for winning these wagers.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 

1. A method for playing a baseball-theme game with at least one player, P_(n,) where n≧1, comprising: providing a game region for playing the game, the game region including a first set of BASE position labels, (1B, 2B, 3B) and a first plurality of sets of number of “Outs” labels, (No Outs, One Out, Two Outs); defining a game event as one event selected from a group including an out, a single, a double, a triple, a home run, and a grand slam; defining an “inning” as a duration from a “game start” to a “Three-Outs” situation for each “P_(B)”; providing at least one status marker having a selective status indicia indicative of the “ON BASE” situation (‘ON’) and the “OFF BASE” (‘EMPTY’) situation, and which can be placed on an associated one of the BASE position labels during an ‘inning’; providing a game engine for generating a plurality of different indicia; associating each indicia with a particular game event; affording P_(n) an opportunity to make a wager prior to engaging the game engine; engaging the game engine, initially with all status markers in an “EMPTY” condition until any series of game engine indicia results in an “Out” game event three times, thus defining an end of the “inning”, wherein, during the “inning”, a tally of a number of “RUNS” is kept as maybe obtained by particular sequences of game engine indicia; and clearing the status markers at the end of each inning to an “EMPTY” condition.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the players engages the game engine.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the game engine is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of dice, a plurality of cards, and a plurality of chips.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said region includes a plurality of betting labels indicative of a corresponding plurality of betting options, said betting labels substantially including: a “Run Line” demarcation for 0 Outs, 1 Out, and 2 Outs; a “Shut Out Line” demarcation for No Outs, One Out, and Two Outs; a “No Hits Line” demarcation for No Outs, One Out, and Two Outs; a 1B, a 2B, a 3B, and a HR demarcation; a Hit, an Out, and an Xtra demarcation; and a GRAND SLAM demarcation.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the Run Line is wagering that a run will score before the third Out ending the inning, further wherein a player may place a bet in the RUN LINE corresponding to the current number of Outs provided that: (a) the “1 Out” bet can be no greater than a preselected multiple of at least two times the value of any “0 Outs” bet made by that player; (b) the “2 Outs” bet can be no greater than a preselected multiple of at least two times the value of any “1 Out” bet made by that player; and, all of the base position labels are EMPTY as indicated by the status markers.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein before the end of an inning, a player may increase or decrease his 1 Out or 2 Outs bets at any time within the parameters of (a) and (b).
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein for each Run, the “0 Outs” bet is paid 1 to 1, the “1 Out” bet is paid 8 to 5, and the “2 Outs” bet is paid 18 to
 5. 8. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the Shut Out Line is wagering that the third Out will result before any Run occurs, wherein a player may place a bet on the label corresponding to the current number of Outs.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein before the end of an inning, a player may increase or decrease his Shut Out Line bet any time of play if all of the base position labels are EMPTY as indicated by status markers.
 10. The method of claim 4, wherein if the third Out is obtained before any Run occurs then: the “0 Outs” bet is paid 4 to 5; the “1 Out” bet is paid 2 to 5; and the “2 Outs” bet is paid 1 to 5, further wherein the original wagers are returned to the player.
 11. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the No Hits Line is wagering that the third Out will result before a single or a double or a triple or a home run occurs.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein if the third Out occurs before a single, double, triple, or a home run is obtained, then: the “0 Outs” bet is paid 11 to 5; the “1 Out” bet is paid 6 to 5; and the “2 Outs” bet is paid 2 to 5, further wherein the original wagers are returned to the player.
 13. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the 1B bet is wagering that a single will be obtained before the third Out occurs.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein if a single occurs before the third Out occurs, then the player is paid 11 to 5, further wherein the original wager is returned to the player.
 15. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the 2B bet is wagering that a double will occur before the third Out occurs.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein if a double occurs before the third Out occurs, then the player is paid 15 to 1, further wherein the original wager is returned to the player.
 17. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the 3B bet is wagering that a triple will occur before the third Out occurs.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein if a triple occurs before the third Out occurs, then the player is paid 15 to 1, further wherein the original wager is returned to the player.
 19. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the HR bet is wagering that a home run will occur before the third Out occurs.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein if a home run occurs before the third Out occurs, then the player is paid 11 to 5, further wherein the original wager is returned to the player.
 21. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the GRAND SLAM bet is wagering that a home run will occur while Base 1, Base 2 and Base 3 are all ON as indicated by status markers, before the third Out occurs.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein if a home run occurs while Base 1, Base 2 and Base 3 are all ON as indicated by status markers, then the player is paid 175 to 1, further wherein the original wager is returned to the player.
 23. The method of claim 4, wherein a player betting on the 1B, 2B, 3B, or HR bets is wagering that the next occurring game event will be a single, double, triple, or home rune, respectively.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the winning payoffs are as follows: 1B: single; 5 to 1; 2B: double; 30 to 1 3B: triple; 30 to 1; HR: home run; 5 to
 1. 25. A method of playing a baseball-theme game comprising the steps of: (a) establishing five game events consisting essentially of out, single, double, triple, and home run; (b) establishing a payoff table of at least four different prizes, each prize associated with one of said game events; (c) affording a player an opportunity to wager on at least one game event; (d) generating substantially by chance one of said five game events, where the odds of generating particular ones of said game events are not equal; and (e) awarding to a player said prize associated with said game event if said generated game event is associated with one of said prizes.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the odds of generating an out are approximately twenty-four out of thirty-six game event generations, the odds of generating a single are approximately five out of thirty-six game event generations, the odds of generating a double are approximately one out of thirty-six game event generations, the odds of generating a triple are approximately one out of thirty-six game event generations, the odds of generating a home run are approximately five out of thirty-six game event generations.
 27. A method of playing a baseball-theme game comprising the steps of: (a) establishing five game events consisting essentially of out, single, double, triple, and home run; (b) establishing a plurality of different series of one or more game events that constitutes a run; (c) affording a player an opportunity to make a first wager that a run will occur; (d) generating substantially by chance at least three game events until three outs have been generated; and (e) if a run occurs before three outs have been generated, awarding to the player who placed said first wager a first prize.
 28. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: affording a player an opportunity to make a second wager that three outs will be generated before a run occurs; and if three outs are generated before a run occurs, awarding to the player who made said second wager a second prize.
 29. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: affording a player an opportunity to make a third wager that at least a preselected number of at least two runs will occur before three outs have been generated; and if at least said preselected number of runs occurs before three outs have been generated, awarding to the player who made said third wager a third prize.
 30. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: affording a player an opportunity to make a fourth wager that a preselected number of at least two runs, and not more runs, occurs before three outs have been generated; and if said preselected number of runs, and no more runs, occurs before three outs have been generated, awarding to the player who made said fourth wager a fourth prize.
 31. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: affording a player an opportunity to make a fifth wager that three outs will be generated before either a single, double, triple, or home run occurs; and if three outs are generated before either a single, double, triple, or home run occurs, awarding to the player who made said fifth wager a fifth prize.
 32. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: affording a player the opportunity to make a sixth wager that a single occurs before three outs have been generated, a seventh wager that a double occurs before three outs have been generated, an eighth wager that a triple occurs before three outs have been generated, and a ninth wager that a home run occurs before three outs have been generated; if a single occurs before three outs are generated, awarding to the player who made said sixth wager a sixth prize; if a double occurs before three outs are generated, awarding to the player who made said sixth wager a seventh prize; if a triple occurs before three outs are generated, awarding to the player who made said sixth wager a eighth prize; if a home run occurs before three outs are generated, awarding to the player who made said sixth wager a ninth prize.
 33. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: establishing a game condition that is defined as a grand slam when a home run occurs; affording a player an opportunity to make a tenth wager that a grand slam occurs before three outs have been generated; and if a grand slam occurs before three outs are generated, awarding to the player who made said tenth wager a tenth prize.
 34. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: affording a player an opportunity to make an eleventh wager that the next game event generated will be a single; affording a player an opportunity to make a twelfth wager that the next game event generated will be a double; affording a player an opportunity to make a thirteenth wager that the next game event generated will be a triple; affording a player an opportunity to make a fourteenth wager that the next game event generated will be a home run; if the next game event generated is a single, awarding to the player who made said eleventh wager an eleventh prize; if the next game event generated is a double, awarding to the player who made said twelfth wager an twelfth prize; if the next game event generated is a triple, awarding to the player who made said thirteenth wager an thirteenth prize; if the next game event generated is a home run, awarding to the player who made said fourteenth wager an fourteenth prize.
 35. The method of claim 27 wherein said game events are generated by rolling a pair of dice.
 36. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: providing an audio sound system capable of generating at least one sound that mimics a crowd cheering or applauding; and utilizing said sound system to create at least one said sound when a preselected game event is generated.
 37. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: providing an audio visual system capable of generating at least one audio and visual display that portrays an actual baseball event; utilizing said audio-visual display system to create at least one said display when a preselected game event is generated.
 38. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of: providing a library containing a plurality of names of baseball players; allowing a player to select one of said names from said library; substantially randomly selecting one of said names from said library; comparing said name selected by said player with said name substantially randomly selected; and if said names match, then awarding the player a bonus prize. 